I just began a study of the book of James. The words are beautifully arranged, but will cut straight through to the heart. It’s easy to read, but a single verse can impact your whole day. Just after the greeting in verse two, James tells you to be happy that you’re facing trials! What the heck!! I’m not happy I’m going through trials of various kinds! To count it all joy, which to me is beyond happiness and more like jubilance or jumping around in excitement, seems insane! This guy must have had too much wine! All kidding aside, God allows us to go through trials to burn off the dross. He is purifying us like gold. Why does He do that? Because we are precious to Him and He wants us to be able to stand strong during any challenges we may face. The reason we should be joyful is because God does not send His weakest warriors into battle, or the ones He knows will cave to the wiles of the devil, but the ones He knows are battle ready and armored up. If you take a pounding now, you will regain your strength and be more fierce and ready for the next round! Every blow the devil takes at your hand is a reason to be joyful!
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
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